The Kansas City Chiefs wrapped up the offseason training program on Thursday, and now with about a month to go before training camp kicks off in St. Joseph, here's a quick rundown of some news and notes to keep in mind over the several few weeks.
Additionally, for some specific notes on what took place during mandatory minicamp this week, click here.
1. Head Coach Reid provided some encouraging updates on the injury front.
Coach Reid shared on Thursday that wide receiver Rashee Rice (knee) and offensive tackle Josh Simmons (knee) should "be ready to go" for training camp next month.
"They actually got great work in in these camps here," Reid said.
Rice was off to a monster start in 2024 with 24 catches for 288 yards and two touchdowns through three games before suffering a season-ending knee injury in Week 4. It was fair to wonder how involved Rice could be early in the offseason training program, but according to quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Rice was been able to pick right up where he left off.
"He looks like Rashee," Mahomes said. "I was throwing with him in Dallas a little bit and then getting him back out here, there's no limitations. He's out there playing, he's making plays on the football field, he's explosive and he looks fast. You saw [what he did at] the start of last season, and I think he can be one of the best receivers in the league."
In some additional injury news, Coach Reid provided a positive update on tight end Jared Wiley, who tore his ACL last season.
"I think we're going to be OK there," Reid said. "He got some work here the last couple days, so I think we'll be fine there."
2. Offensive tackle Josh Simmons continues to make progress.
Perhaps the most pressing question heading into the Chiefs' offseason training program was the status of rookie offensive tackle Josh Simmons, who joined the Chiefs amidst rehabbing a torn patellar tendon suffered in October of last year.
Well, two months later, the answer is clear: so far, so good.
"He's doing a nice job. We weren't sure quite how much we were going to be able to get out of him, but he looks strong," said Coach Reid. "He's been jumping in and taking the team reps now – which he was just doing the individual stuff before – and you can definitely see the talent. He's got to keep learning and learn the stuff that [Offensive Line Coach] Andy [Heck] is teaching him fundamentally and technique-wise, but he sure has a good attitude about it."
Simmons, the Chiefs' first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft at No. 31 overall, was in contention to be the first offensive tackle selected – perhaps even in the top 10 overall – before suffering a season-ending knee injury six games into the 2024 campaign. Prior to the injury, Simmons had allowed just one quarterback hurry – with zero hits or sacks allowed – on 158 pass-blocking snaps.
It was a stellar start for Simmons, who yielded just 10 hurries, four hits and one sack on 443 pass-blocking snaps the season prior. The injury ended what had the makings of an even better year in 2024, but just eight months later, Simmons was participating in team drills during minicamp this week.
"This is what I anticipated and what I worked toward," Simmons said. "I got my operation done by the platinum standard, Dr. Neal ElAttrache, so I was feeling good about that straight off the table, and then I have the best in the business here at One Arrowhead Drive for rehab."
The next step for Simmons is simple: putting the pads on. The NFL prohibits padded practices during the offseason training program, but when asked how excited he was to don the pads at training camp next month, Simmons' answer was clear.
"Very," Simmons said. "Whatever the staff allows me to do, I'm definitely going to do."
3. Tight end Travis Kelce says that he's setting the bar higher for himself than he ever has before.
Kelce, who added that he's down some weight from the end of the season, shared that the only way he'll consider the season a success is if it ends with a world championship. With that in mind, he revealed his specific expectations for himself entering 2025.
"[I expect] to be the best teammate and the best leader I can," Kelce said. "Last year, I think I failed – especially in that last game – in being a leader and being the one who can step up and make plays. So, I'm setting the bar even higher for myself than I have in the past."
That's a lofty statement by Kelce, who – even at 35 years old in 2024 – caught 97 passes for 823 yards and three touchdowns. Now entering his 13th season as a professional, Kelce – who was confronted with plenty of retirement questions earlier this offseason – still believes he can play at a high level.
"I know I'm getting older, but at the same time, I still feel like I have a lot that I can prove in this league," Kelce said. "With that being said, it really wasn't that hard of a decision for me [to come back]."
Kelce figures to be part of a passing attack that will hopefully feature wide receivers Rashee Rice, Hollywood Brown and Xavier Worthy after injuries prevented that quartet from ever being on the field together last season.
4. The competition at left guard will be something to watch in camp.
The camp battle that will likely receive the bulk of the attention will be at left tackle between Jaylon Moore and Josh Simmons, but the competition at left guard will be interesting to watch as well.
That spot, which was vacated by Joe Thuney, is up for grabs between Kingsley Suamataia and Mike Caliendo, who will each have an opportunity to show what they can do in camp.
In regard to Suamataia, who began last season as the Chiefs' starting left tackle, he's looking to build off a strong showing at left guard in Week 18 of last season.
"I [felt that] I did well [in Week 18]," Suamataia said. "I went up against one of the best defensive tackles [in the league], and I got some good words from him after the game."
Suamataia was referring to Zach Allen, who finished fifth in the NFL with 75 pressures last season. He recorded just two in Week 18, and by all accounts, Suamataia carried the momentum from that experience into offseason practices.
"He has experience, and then he looks more comfortable there," Reid said. "He seems to be picking it up well. Not that we're going full-speed contact, but he has an opportunity to go against [defensive tackle] Chris [Jones], and that'll surely help him for the season."
As for Caliendo, he'll bring his seven career starts at left guard into training camp. Notably, Caliendo started the Chiefs' final six games (including the postseason) at left guard last year when Thuney moved out to left tackle. That stretch included Super Bowl LIX, and while the game didn't go the way Caliendo would have hoped, he explained that his experience that night will make him a better player.
"Afterward, it was pretty devastating, but that experience in the end was invaluable," Caliendo said. "Going undrafted and getting that type of experience is pretty rare, to be honest, and you just have to look back at the film and do everything you can to learn from it. Failing is growth, and just trust in that."
5. Safety Jaden Hicks may be in store for a big year.
Hicks, the Chiefs' fourth-round pick in 2024, has a major opportunity in front of him this season with former starting safety Justin Reid no longer in town. He impressed during his limited snaps last year, which included three interceptions, and following a strong spring, he has a real shot to take over Reid's role in Kansas City's defense.
"It's a good group of guys right now, and we're all competing trying to earn that spot," Hicks said. "It's a good, healthy battle between us, and they're going to put the best out there on the field. So, I'm just trying to be my best, be the best for the team, and go from there."
Additionally, Reid – who spent three seasons as one of the Chiefs' defensive leaders – appears to have prepared Hicks for this very opportunity.
"I think I'm a lot more comfortable this year. There's obviously still room to grow and learn, but I think J-Reid was a great help," Hicks said. "He helped me get everything [down] and [taught me] to keep stacking the days, and keep getting better each day. I think that's the most important thing for this year."
He added that Reid made a point of taking Hicks under his wing in 2024, and while Reid is no longer a member of the team, his contributions may very well be felt in 2025 if Hicks can reach his potential.
